Impatient driver accused of trying to hit cop at gas pump

March 17, 2010

A Northlake driver angered when he thought a sheriff's police officer was taking too long to move from a pump at a near-empty gas station has been charged with assault after repeatedly trying to hit the officer with his car, authorities said.

Juan Gutierrez-Cabrera, 28, was arrested at the gas station at Sam's Club, 141 W. North Ave. in Northlake after trying at least four times to hit Cook County Sheriff's Gang Investigator Terrance Ross about 3:45 p.m.Sunday, sheriff's police spokesman Steve Patterson said.

Gutierrez-Cabrera, of the 200 block of Maplewood Street in Northlake, was arrested on a misdemeanor assault charge and ticketed for driving with no license and no insurance, according to a news release.

Ross, a 14-year veteran of the sheriff's police, was standing next to one of the 24 pumps at the station after refueling, talking to another gang investigator at a second pump, when he felt something behind him, according to the release.

Ross found that Gutierrez-Cabrera had come within inches of hitting his leg with his 2001 Buick Century. Gutierrez-Cabrera backed up and sped at the officer again, stopping within inches of the officer, according to the release.

After Ross yelled at Gutierrez-Cabrera to stop and identified himself as a police officer--even opening his jacket to show his badge, body armor and police radio--Gutierrez-Cabrera still sped toward him again, according to police. The officer jumped out of the way, but Gutierrez-Cabrera turned his wheels toward the officer and again stepped on the gas.

Ross responded by pulling his gun and ordering Gutierrez-Cabrera to get out of the car, police said.

Later, Gutierrez-Cabrera told police he was upset because the officer didn't move out of his way at the pump fast enough, according to police. His wife and children were in his car at the time, according to police.

Gutierrez-Cabrera is free on bond. He is scheduled to appear in the Maywood branch of Cook County Circuit Court on April 20.